It's Draft Time

Posted on August 22, 2006

By Rocco Cavuoti

Every fantasy draft is highlighted by quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs. These skill positions are the "sexy" picks that we all compare and argue about until we're blue in the face. But in fantasy football, solid points must come from every part of your starting lineup in order to win consistently. Those extra points can often be found in the shape of the less than glamorous positions: tight end, kicker and team defense.

Again, this guide is meant to serve the purpose of all scoring systems but remember to keep your particular league in mind while drafting your team.

Tight Ends1. Antonio Gates, SD: QB Drew Brees was good with him, but QB Philip Rivers will need him more2. Tony Gonzalez, KC: Tried and true, is always a top TE3. Jason Witten, DAL: With WR Terrell Owens drawing double-coverage, he’ll be open more4. Heath Miller, PIT: No Antwaan Randle El, no Jerome Bettis, Miller is the new red zone guy5. Alge Crumpler, ATL: The only person QB Michael Vick can throw to6. Chris Cooley, WAS: When in doubt, gets the ball in Washington7. Jeremy Shockey, NYG: Going to get opportunities, QB Eli Manning will use him8. L.J. Smith, PHI: Nagging injuries aside, QB Donovan McNabb will use him, expect 60 catches9. Todd Heap, BAL: Should get even better with QB Steve McNair throwing to him10. Ben Watson, NE: Emerging as the TE that QB Tom Brady needs in the red-zone11. Randy McMichael, MIA: QB Daunte Culpepper’s safety valve, and a good one at that12. Vernon Davis, SF: QB Alex Smith will need him if he wants to complete passes13. Jerramy Stevens, SEA: Had a TD catch in the Super Bowl, will be solid14. Kellen Winslow, CLE: If healthy, has real talent, but still a complete unknown15. Dallas Clark, IND: The safety valve in the league’s best passing attack

Kickers1. David Akers, PHI: Best fantasy kicker, period2. Adam Vinatieri, IND: Known for clutch kicks, will have a great year3. Neil Rackers, ARI: Should be around the red zone even more than last year4. Jeff Reed, PIT: With no Bus to get TDs, may have more kicking to do5. Shayne Graham, CIN: May have more opportunities if QB Carson Palmer can’t score TDs6. Mike Vanderjagt, DAL: Great fantasy kicker, Dallas will need him7. John Kasay, CAR: In the past two seasons is 100 percent from inside the 408. Jay Feely, NYG: Great last season, no reason to think anything will change9. Lawrence Tynes, KC: Under the radar, even for a kicker, very solid10. Josh Brown, SEA: Seattle will score less TDs without OG Steve Hutchinson, more FGs11. Matt Stover, BAL: Always solid, will have lots of opportunities this season12. Ryan Longwell, MIN: Now kicking indoors in Minnesota, nice upside13. Sebastian Janikowski, OAK: Down year in 2005, but should be solid this season14. Jason Elam, DEN: Broncos likely to score more TDs this year, less FGs15. Jeff Wilkins, STL: Always reliable, gets plenty of chances.

Defense1. Chicago Bears: Big surprise right? Great unit that will only get better2. Baltimore Ravens: Add DE Trevor Pryce and a healthy LB Ray Lewis, kinda scary3. Pittsburgh Steelers: Interceptions and big plays are their specialty4. Cincinnati Bengals: Team had 44 takeaways last season, could get even better5. Carolina Panthers: Aggressive style and pretty fast too, second in takeaways in 20056. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Always good and trying to get younger7. Philadelphia Eagles: A top sack team in 2004 was hit with injury bug last year8. Washington Redskins: Safeties Adam Archuleta and Sean Taylor will make plays9. Miami Dolphins: Always solid and coach Nick Saban likes to play good defense10. New York Giants: Should force a lot of turnovers but teams will score on them 11. Buffalo Bills: Developing still, but a very good defensive team12. Indianapolis Colts: They do make some plays and are not a bad defensive team13. Jacksonville Jaguars: Young team on the rise, will only get better14. Denver Broncos: Nice combo of veterans and explosive young talent15. Cleveland Browns: Already good before coach Romeo Crennel got there, now getting better